This is the best kind of hilarious because the best kind is always unintentional. But this pro-gay pride ad from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is especially hilarious because it delivers exactly the opposite message from what they intended.

You'll probably get it right away, but the airline was attempting to show their support for the gay pride movement by running an ad which said, “It doesn’t matter who you click with,” as seen in the tweet below:

So they're showing their support by... showing seat belt buckles that couldn't possibly “click” because they're the same? I hope they realize that these, um... non-traditional seat belts don't actually perform their function, which is to save lives! But as we all know, safety is secondary to tolerance.

I'm telling you now, though, that if I got into an airplane seat with two matching seat belts I would worry immensely about what other simple concepts had escaped their notice. I wouldn't even care if one of the seat belt buckles identified as the other kind of seat belt. I know this is very un-21st century of me, but I'll go with the “traditional” seat belts that actually perform the function their manufacturer intended. But maybe this airline doesn't even believe in a manufacturer.

And here's a question: Would a passenger who believed only in using seat belts that actually worked, be forced to sit in a seat with a non-clicking seat belt because insisting on traditional seat belts is viewed as hateful?

You see, here's the thing I think many forget nowadays—seat belts, like human beings, are created for a purpose. We ignore that at our own peril. And that is not hilarious.

This is good! I have quite frequently said that you can’t do anything with a hex nut and hex nut or a screw and a screw by themselves - they are useless. They are male and female for a reason. When you see something like this ad, it truly illustrates how elementary our nature is and how God has implanted this in us. It also shows how effective Satan is that he can warp common sense to such a degree. One day people will wake up but it will probably be too late for most - hopefully not though.

Posted by Mark Taylor on Sunday, Aug, 13, 2017 7:32 AM (EDT):

Very well said. I cannot understand why so many otherwise sane people could support gay ‘marriage’. It doesn’t make sense.

Posted by Richard A on Friday, Aug, 11, 2017 10:27 AM (EDT):

John Harden: Utility is the beginning, not the end. But the end of working against the utility can get you killed.

Posted by just maybe on Thursday, Aug, 10, 2017 5:43 PM (EDT):

John Harden: I can see where the ad is effective in shooting down the notion of the primacy of mechanical utility: “if you don’t fit, you can’t click” is a message we all want to denounce in this follow-the-crowd world. JPII argued against seeing utility as an end in his Theology of the Body, where he deplores the selfish using of another for pragmatic-only reasons.

Maybe all can agree: Utility is not destiny. Fitting can be transcendent, not only literal.

I would say that this graphically shows that there is no diversity in safety, with kind of a bi-polar diversity in non-safety.
Further, just because the two ends don’t fit together doesn’t mean that they can’t be pulled out and tied in a knot, thereby retaining function if making escape/release a bit more problematic.

Posted by BHG on Thursday, Aug, 10, 2017 3:13 PM (EDT):

John Harden—good observation, good question. What tends to happen (I think) is that the LGBT discussion gets reduced to sex and marriage when it has many more facets than that. With respect to marriage and procreation, the seatbelt analogy is apt—but people are more than just their vocations and relationships come in many kinds apart from marriage. Sadly, the emphasis on protecting traditional marriage and the traditional teaching on the sacredness of sex within marriage, both laudable and necessary, has nevertheless led to a situation where that seems to be ALL we see because of how we keep focusing on it and how the culture skews the discussion. I think that is one thing that the Pope is trying to get us to see with his language about our obsessions and it’s hard for us both to see and change. What’s the proper response? Maybe “come bide with me a while so we see more of each other than mere caricatures.”

Posted by Noah Vaile on Thursday, Aug, 10, 2017 2:56 PM (EDT):

This actually falls right in line along with how airlines have been treating passengers lately.

Posted by Professor on Thursday, Aug, 10, 2017 1:47 PM (EDT):

They have provided us with a good and easily understood example of the ‘problem’ of not acting in accordance with our evolution. God evolved us as man and woman. If he didn’t we would never have made it this far in time. The seat belt ads are a great depiction that i would not have thought of.

Posted by cthlc12345 on Thursday, Aug, 10, 2017 10:10 AM (EDT):

This is hilarious. I agree with Matthew Archbold that this is one of the funniest types of humor. It’s difficult to understand how the airline reps could be so dumb.

Posted by John Harden on Thursday, Aug, 10, 2017 9:37 AM (EDT):

This image actually works very well for the LGBT movement.

The prevailing criticism of this image is goes something like this, “See, only one of them ‘works.’” To which the LGBT crowd says, “So, what?”

The LGBT movement is not based on a utilitarian view of the person. It says, you are not a seatbelt. You are not “made to fit” with someone who you don’t feel like being with. You are you, and your attraction to others should not be determined based on what parts you happen to have.”

Therefore, what response could be made to this that doesn’t reduce human relationships to what works? What is the Christian, personalistic response?

Posted by Beth on Thursday, Aug, 10, 2017 12:44 AM (EDT):

HaHA! Apparently the irony of this ad was completely lost on KLM

Posted by Xopher on Wednesday, Aug, 9, 2017 4:12 PM (EDT):

This ad should be used by those who want to promote true, sacramental marriage, and the the teachings of natural law.

Posted by Linus on Wednesday, Aug, 9, 2017 3:48 PM (EDT):

What is being lost in all this industrial/commercial support for politically correct stands is that they are preaching religion - an irrational, unchristian religion. Just let them publish their support for the real existence of the Christian God, or in the Real Presence. Riots would erupt throughout the world!

Posted by Jani on Wednesday, Aug, 9, 2017 3:43 PM (EDT):

Hilarious!!!!!!!

Posted by teo on Wednesday, Aug, 9, 2017 3:36 PM (EDT):

Somebody needs to draw these brainiacs a picture: male part fits into the corresponding female part then you will hear the click. Ready. Let’s try it.

Posted by Debra Brunsberg on Wednesday, Aug, 9, 2017 3:15 PM (EDT):

KML actually made the point that everybody knows in the simplest and
most perfect way. God can work through anyone. :)

Posted by mrscracker on Wednesday, Aug, 9, 2017 2:32 PM (EDT):

Yup. Somebody at KLM wasn’t thinking.
:)

Posted by Dr. Jeff Koloze on Wednesday, Aug, 9, 2017 1:57 PM (EDT):

KLM’s lock-step fiasco for the gay and lesbian agenda is all over social media. The foolish company should support heterosexual normativity.

Join the Discussion

We encourage a lively and honest discussion of our content. We ask that charity guide your words.
By submitting this form, you are agreeing to our discussion guidelines.
Comments are published at our discretion. We won't publish comments that lack charity, are off topic, or are more than 400 words.
Thank you for keeping this forum thoughtful and respectful.